As the ghostly apparition of Obi Wan tried to explain to young Luke Skywalker, truth is relevant. It all depends on your point of view. We have all heard the old saying “perception is reality” and unfortunately too many people treat that as a truism. While we all tend to treat our experiences and conscience as our guides for believing what is true and what is not, let us all agree that there has to be some objective point where we can say that one thing is true and another is false.

Not so simple you say, and of course you would be correct. So many truths are not so black and white. All too often decisions and beliefs run into the gray area, that dark, nebulous region we know as emotions. We can’t bring ourselves to move outside that area of comfort that makes us so sure of our convictions and perceptions of truth. If there is anything I’ve learned in my time on this earth, people do not want to admit they are ignorant of anything much less that they could possibly be wrong about something. Especially something they think they know something about or something that represents what they perceive to be incorruptible. Like our government for example.

Have you ever heard of NSPD /51 HSPD 20? Take a look at this link and then consider how W and the neocons could use this to to their advantage. What would happen if another 9/11 type event occurred and say W and his boyz blamed it on Iran? My guess, that place would look like Iraq in a short period of time and any of us truthhounds would swiftly be put away in the detention camps for non-patriots and enemy sympathizers.

What NSPD/51 HSPD 20 means is that anytime the President feels like the country has suffered a catastrophic emergency. They didn’t have it place on 9/11 but he is going to make sure that little detail is not overlooked the next time. I call again on you to take action and write to your representatives asking them to explain why they have allowed such a blatant path for W and his neoconvicts to effectively suspend the constitution and take over.

We the People will never believe this because their reality would never allow for a corrupt government. They would rather sit idly by thinking this will never happen to me that reach outside that sphere of their reality to consider that some people are not guided by the same moral fabrics most of us live by.

Now we are told by our fearless speaker Ms Pelosi that impeaching Bush “isn’t worth it”. Excuse me but the welfare of our country is damn well worth it regardless of what she thinks. Another perception problem is that we thought we threw the bums out last November only to find out that the dumbocrats are just as incompetent. We are not going to clear this up until we vote all the bums out or change our system. This great country was formed by revolution and I perceive that its time for another. Take back our country, support the national initiative.

Peace!

The Sage

I’ve been reminded lately that the human body needs rest and relaxation in order to cope with the stresses and pressures of modern living. Back in the old days when Man (gender neutral ladies) had to work every day to survive they still had down times after dark, during rain or bad weather to take a load off, sleep late or have some time with family and friends. Me and the missus have found ourselves more married to the JOB than each other. Working together has its own separate stresses involved, but the main downside is that we get so wrapped up in work, we forget about taking it easy and relieving those stresses. Even our “vacations” turn out to be stressing -  going through airports, driving in strange cities, strange hotel rooms with uncomfortable beds and the whatever that comes with all that.

Even on weekends we always seem to have some project, housekeeping or gardening that keeps us going until suddenly its Monday morning again. Well the missus finally had enough and went out and bought us a tent camper. I have never lost my love of the outdoors, but it always seemed such a hassle to drag out the tent and other camping supplies and then work like a dog to setup all the tent, tarps and kitchen. Now we have this handy tent on wheels that most people refer to as a Pop-up.  Not the same as one of those huge, expensive motor homes or 50 foot campers, but a small trailer that you’re  able to move around by hand (if you’re not on a big hill mind you) and put a bunch of your camping stuff in all the little compartments.

My wife was so excited to go through all the drawers and cabinets since the couple we bought it from left much of their camping stuff inside. Ah the smores maker, a fondue set, popcorn popper, toaster oven and, wait a minute. Fondue set?  That ain’t campin’.  I been campin’ 40 some years and not once did any of the old timers bring out a fondue set. As a matter of fact we didn’t even have s’mores. Back in the day, a big old iron pot, a huge blue coffee pot, 3 or 4 iron skillets, a tarp, some rope and groceries was all we used to take.

Then we got us one a them white gas, pump-up coleman stoves AND a lantern! Next was the canvas tent and later nylon varieties. Then when propane became widely available, a propane stove and lantern tree and heater and fish cooker and on and on was what you needed. Let’s face it, even campin’ ain’t campin’ no more. The modern world has invaded a once sacred practice of the old school, ain’t nuthin’ should be easy school.

But wait a minute I came up here to relax. I actually had the camper setup in 15 minutes and that was after a major correction born from unfamiliarity with our newly obtained piece of modern technology. In 15 minutes it was open, beds in place, power and water connected, air conditioner going, awning setup and I was barely sweating. That was easy.

We actually played Scrabble last night, I haven’t played Scrabble in 30 years or more. As I write we sit in the comfort of a reclining lawn chair with my laptop on, connected to the wireless Internet offered by the boat dock across the cove (for a fee of course), hoping my blackberry doesn’t go off , oh wait did I forget that thing? Drat, oh well I guess they can’t call me

Back to the point of relaxation, I actually slept a total of 18 of the last 24 hours. I’m still drinking coffee at 10:20am and don’t have to worry about mowing the yard.  I have only in a few weak moments even thought about work. I feel like a new person after one of these little getaways. So take it from someone that just recently re-discovered how to relax, buy yourself a popup and hit the road. Remember Monday will come anyway so do yourself a favor and take a break. Go AWAY, do not stay home or those pressures will never fully disappear. Camping is a reasonably inexpensive distraction that even with a tent can be easy and relaxing at a nearby State park or private campgrounds. Nice clear campspots, clean bath houses, electricity and water at the campsite affords almost all the comforts of home at a nominal fee. Even if you like the primitive, work-at-it style camping, most parks have that available as well.
One word of caution, make sure your chosen campground isn’t full by calling ahead or making reservations where able. It can be frustrating to get there only to find there is no availability. You can meet new friends or take along some old ones. The food always tastes better on a camping trip and really thats the only thing you even need to worry about.  What and when for the next meal?  And oh yeah, don’t forget to forget the blackberry.
Peace!
The Sage